Merchandise security system including display stand having video camera

ABSTRACT

A merchandise security system includes a display stand for supporting and displaying an article of merchandise, a video imaging device and an actuator operably coupled to the video imaging device for actuating the video imaging device to collect video data in response to a displacement of the article of merchandise relative to the display stand. In exemplary embodiments, the actuator includes a first activation element disposed on a sensor housing configured for attachment to the article of merchandise and a second activation element disposed on the display stand. The first activation element and the second activation element actuate the video imaging device between the inactive state and the active state to collect the video data when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. The video imaging device may be a video camera housed within, positioned adjacent to, or integrated with the display stand.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/612,145 filed on Nov. 4, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/112,976 filed on Nov. 10, 2008, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to merchandise security systems,and more particularly, to a merchandise security system including adisplay stand for displaying an article of merchandise, while bothphysically securing the article and collecting video data at a displayarea.

Conventional merchandise security systems physically restrain an articleof merchandise from theft and unauthorized or accidental removal from aretail sales location, such as a merchandise display area. Manymerchandise security systems further include an alarm that operates inconjunction with the physical restraint to activate an audible alarmsignal and/or a visual (i.e. silent) alarm signal in the event therestraint is removed from the protected article of merchandise, or isotherwise damaged or defeated. Such conventional measures are typicallysufficient to prevent theft and accidental losses.

Unfortunately, a calculating thief can at times forcibly remove aphysical restraint from a protected article of merchandise and thenquickly distance himself and the merchandise from the location of thealarm signal. Due to public safety concerns and in an effort to foster acongenial shopping and working environment, a merchant may prefer to notimmediately secure a retail display area or an entire store upondetection of a theft or loss of a single article of merchandise. Someretailers view theft and accidental losses merely as a cost of doingbusiness. Others are unwilling to install audible alarm systems out ofconcern for the safety and comfort of customers. Others instruct andtrain their employees to refrain from pursuing and stopping suspectedthieves out of concern for the safety of the employee and to avoidliabilities that might occur with honest customers. Such retailers arevulnerable to exploitation by thieves who familiarize themselves withstate-of-the-art merchandise security systems and with the securitymeasures, procedures and policies adopted by the retailer.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved merchandise securitysystem that remains effective for deterring theft when a retailer electsto not draw attention to the theft within the display area or store, orto pursue the thief at the time of the theft. There exists a further andmore specific need for an improved merchandise security system havingthe capability to collect video data at a merchandise display area.There exists a particular need for a merchandise security systemincluding a display stand for supporting and displaying an article ofmerchandise that cooperates with a video imaging device (e.g. videocamera) for collecting video data at a merchandise display area, forexample when the protected article of merchandise is removed from thedisplay stand.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned needs, objectives and advantages, as well as othersthat will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, are providedby an improved merchandise security system including a display stand forsupporting and displaying an article of merchandise. In at least oneaspect, the present invention provides a merchandise security systemincluding a display stand that cooperates with a video imaging deviceand an actuator operably coupled to the video imaging device foractuating the video imaging device to collect video data. In at leastone embodiment, the display stand of the merchandise security systemhouses the video imaging device. In other exemplary embodiments, theactuator includes a first activation element disposed on the displaystand and a second activation element disposed on a sensor housingconfigured for attachment to the article of merchandise. In thatexample, the actuator is configured to activate the video imaging devicewhen the second activation element is displaced relative to the firstactivation element. The video imaging device may be a video cameradisposed within, positioned adjacent to, or integrated with the displaystand.

In another aspect, a merchandise security system according to theinvention includes a display stand for supporting and displaying anarticle of merchandise and a video imaging device for collecting videodata in response to a displacement of the article of merchandise fromthe display stand. The video imaging device has an inactive state and anactive state and the video imaging device is actuated to collect videodata when the article of merchandise is displaced relative to thedisplay stand.

In yet another aspect, a merchandise security according to the inventionincludes a display stand, a sensor housing configured for attachment tothe article of merchandise, a cable connecting the sensor housing andthe display stand, a video imaging device operatively coupled with thedisplay stand and the sensor housing, and an actuator for actuating thevideo imaging device to obtain video data when the article ofmerchandise is displaced relative to the display stand.

In yet another aspect, a merchandise security system according to theinvention includes a display stand, a video imaging device, and anactuator operatively coupled with the video imaging device for actuatingthe video imaging device between an inactive state and an active statewherein the video imaging device collects video data when the article ofmerchandise is displaced relative to the display stand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be bestunderstood by reference to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a plurality ofmerchandise security systems according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, each including a display stand for supporting anddisplaying an article of merchandise;

FIG. 2 is an environmental perspective view of a typical one of themerchandise security systems of FIG. 1, shown in partial cutaway toillustrate a video imaging device housed within the display stand;

FIG. 3 is an environmental perspective view of the merchandise securitysystem of FIG. 2, illustrating the video imaging device in wirelesscommunication with a remote video recording device as the article ofmerchandise is being removed from the display stand; and

FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of the merchandise securitysystem of FIG. 2, illustrating the video imaging device in wiredcommunication with a remote video recording device as the article ofmerchandise is being removed from the display stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein identical reference numerals denotethe same elements throughout the various views, a merchandise securitysystem is shown, indicated generally at 10, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The merchandise security system 10comprises a display stand 20 operable for supporting and displaying anarticle of merchandise, for example a relatively small and relativelyexpensive consumer electronics product, such as a mobile telephone,digital camera, digital music player, Personal Data Assistant (PDA) typedevice and the like. The article of merchandise is indicated generallyat 12 in FIG. 1 wherein a plurality of merchandise security systems 10are shown protecting respective articles of merchandise 12, as is commonin a merchandise display area of a retail sales location.

The merchandise security system 10 shown and described herein is adaptedto permit a potential purchaser to closely examine and operate aprotected article of merchandise 12, while deterring theft andpreventing unauthorized or accidental removal of the article ofmerchandise from a merchandise display area. The embodiment of thesecurity system 10 shown in FIGS. 3-4 further comprises a sensor housing14 mechanically affixed to the article of merchandise 12, and a cable 15that interconnects the sensor housing with the display stand 20, oralternatively with a central power and/or alarm module (not shown) in aknown manner. As a result, the article 12 is physically restrained bythe tensile strength of the cable 15 from being removed from the displaystand 20 more than a predetermined distance. Insofar as the displaystand 20 is rigidly attached to a stationary support, such as a tabletop, counter top, shelf, desk or other relatively fixed support surfaceindicated generally at S, the cable 15 and the sensor housing 14 act tophysically restrain the article of merchandise 12 in the display areawithin the immediate vicinity of the display stand.

The cable 15 may physically attach the sensor housing 14 and the articleof merchandise 12 to the display stand 20, or alternatively to a basemodule of the security system 10 below the support S, without conveyingpower or a communications signal (e.g. electrical, optical, etc.) to thesensor housing 14 or the article of merchandise 12. However, thesecurity system 10 may also include a power supply, or be in electricalcommunication with a power supply, that provides power and/or acommunications signal through the cable 15 to electronics housed withinthe sensor housing 14 and/or to the article of merchandise 12.Furthermore, the security system 10 may include an internal or externalalarm (not shown) that produces an audible and/or visual alarm signalwhen the article of merchandise 12 is separated from the sensor housing14, or when the power and/or communications signal conveyed by cable 15is interrupted. A display stand 20 according to the present inventionmay also be provided with a cable 15 that provides only a physical ormechanical restraint, in which case the article of merchandise 12 may bepowered by an internal power source, such as a battery, or may bedisplayed in an inoperable state. Alternatively, the article ofmerchandise 12 may be without any powered functionality.

As shown and described herein, the display stand 20 comprises a base 22and a pedestal 24 extending upwardly from the base. The base 22 andpedestal 24 may be formed in any known manner from any suitablestructural material, such as plastic, composite or metal, and ispreferably molded from a hard, durable, lightweight plastic. In theembodiments shown in FIGS. 3-4 where a cable 15 is provided, thepedestal 24 may serve as a collection tube having an internal passagewayfor extracting and collecting the cable, or for permitting passage ofthe cable 15 through the base 22. In turn, the base 22 may extract andcollect the cable 15 or may permit passage of the cable to a gatheringdevice, such as a conventional retractor, retraction mechanism orre-coiler (not shown) disposed beneath the support S.

Regarding now particularly inventive aspects of the security system 10,a video imaging device 100 configured to cooperate with the displaystand 20 is shown in FIGS. 2-4. The video imaging device 100 isexpressly shown herein to comprise a video camera 102 and an associatedelectronics module 104, although other known types of video imagingdevices other than a video camera are intended to be within the scope ofthe present invention. The article of merchandise 12 is shown affixed tothe sensor housing 14, which in turn is positioned on the pedestal 24 inFIG. 2 and is shown removed somewhat from the pedestal in FIGS. 3-4. Theposition of the article of merchandise 12 shown in FIG. 2 represents aninactive state of the video imaging device 100 between predeterminedoccurrences such as shown in FIGS. 3-4 wherein the article ofmerchandise 12 is removed from the pedestal 24, for example while beingexamined and/or operated by a potential purchaser. In at least oneembodiment of the present invention, the video imaging device 100 of thesecurity system 10 enters an active state when the article ofmerchandise 12 is removed or displaced from the pedestal 24. The activestate may be prompted when an actuator 120 detects removal ordisplacement of the article of merchandise 12 from the pedestal 24according to a signal generated by one or more activation elements. Forexample, a first activation element 122 is shown in FIGS. 3-4 as beinghoused within, disposed on, or attached to the sensor housing 14; and asecond activation element 124 is shown as being housed within, disposedon, or attached to the pedestal 24 of the display stand 20.

The activation elements 122 and 124 are described broadly herein ascomprising any component or combination of components operable foractuating the video imaging device 100, and more particularly, foraltering the operating state of the video imaging device 100 between theinactive state and the active state. Several examples of activationelements 122, 124 suitable for performing the function of altering thestate of the video imaging device 100 are provided herein; however, theexamples described herein are not exhaustive and any suitable actuator120 and activation elements are intended to be within the scope of thepresent invention. Generally stated, the video imaging device 100 of thesecurity system 10 is prompted into an active state upon movement ordisplacement of the article of merchandise 12 away from the pedestal 24.In each example described below, when the article of merchandise 12 andthe sensor housing 14 are displaced relative to the display stand 20,mechanical, electrical, magnetic, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR),optical or other energy between the activation elements 122, 124 islost, disturbed, altered or enhanced and the activation elements operateto identify such an occurrence.

In one particular example, the activation element 122 is a contact,proximity or limit switch that toggles between an electricallyconducting configuration and an electrically non-conductingconfiguration as the article of merchandise 12 is positioned onto thepedestal 24 and displaced off of the pedestal, with or without thesensor housing 14. It should be noted that the sensor housing 14 may bepresent and comprise the activation element 122, or may be eliminatedentirely. Alternatively, the sensor housing 14 and the activationelement 122 may be integrated with the article of merchandise 12 withoutdeparting from the invention. In this instance, the activation element124 is a contact against which a trigger, plunger, pin or the like ofthe activation element 122 contacts to activate or deactivate the switchwhen the article of merchandise 12 is positioned on the display stand20. Alternatively, the activation elements 122 and 124 may be reversedsuch that the activation element 124 is a contact, proximity or limitswitch and the activation element 122 is a contact that the activationelement 124 engages.

In another particular example, the activation elements 122 and 124comprise opposing components of a magnetic proximity switch thatactivates or deactivates as the article of merchandise 12 is displacedrelative to the pedestal 24 of the display stand 20, with or without thesensor housing 14. It should be noted that the sensor housing 14 may bepresent and comprise the activation element 122, or may be eliminatedentirely. Alternatively, the sensor housing 14 and the activationelement 122 may be integrated with the article of merchandise 12 withoutdeparting from the invention.

In yet another particular example, the activation element 124 comprisesan optical or other photo-sensitive device that receives ambient lightwhen the article of merchandise 12 is displaced relative to the displaystand 20, with or without the sensor housing 14, so as to detect removalof the article and responsively actuate the video imaging device 100 ofthe security system 10 from an inactive state into an active state. Itshould be noted that the sensor housing 14 may be present, or may beeliminated entirely. Alternatively, the sensor housing 14 may beintegrated with the article of merchandise 12 without departing from theinvention.

Thus, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, theactivation elements 122 and 124 may comprise any suitable means foractuating the video imaging device 100 between an inactive state and anactive state upon displacement or removal of the article of merchandise12 from the display stand 20. Regardless, the function of one or both ofthe activation elements 122 and 124 is to determine whether the articleof merchandise 12 has been displaced from its position on the displaystand 20, and if so, to actuate the video imaging device 100 between theinactive state and the active state.

In one or more other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, theactuator 120 comprises a radio-frequency (RF) wireless proximity sensorsystem that includes a wireless transceiver component and a responsivecomponent. In one such example, the activation element 124 on or at thedisplay stand 20 comprises a transceiver component that detects the lossof a return signal from the activation element 122 (the responsivecomponent) when the article of merchandise 12 and/or the sensor housing14 are displaced from the display stand 20. Upon loss of the returnsignal, the video imaging device 100 of the security system 10 ischanged from an inactive state to an active state and the video imagingdevice is actuated. The activation element 122 may be a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) tag assigned specifically to the article ofmerchandise 12 or the sensor housing 14 so that the activation element124 of actuator 120 can identify the return signal from an assigned tagamong cross-talk signals from nearby tags in a merchandise display areawhere more than one security system 10 is in use simultaneously todisplay multiple articles of merchandise 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Itshould be noted that the activation element 122 carried by the articleof merchandise 12 and/or the sensor housing 14 may be the transceivercomponent and the activation element 124 carried by the display stand 20(or other structure associated with the security system 10) may be theresponsive component without departing from the invention.

In other exemplary embodiments, the actuator 120 comprises an infrared(IR) sensor system in which the activation elements 122 and 124, ineither order, are configured to send and/or receive IR signals. When,for example, activation element 122 is an IR receiver and fails todetect the infrared emissions of an IR transmitter (the activationelement 124), the video imaging device 100 of the security system 10 ischanged from an inactive state to an active state and the video imagingdevice is actuated. It should be noted that the activation element 122carried by the article of merchandise 12 and/or the sensor housing 14may be the IR transmitter and the activation element 124 carried by thedisplay stand 20 (or other structure associated with the security system10) may be the IR receiver without departing from the invention.Furthermore, either activation element 122 or 124 may comprise an IRemitter/detector while the other activation element comprises areflective area that reflects an IR signal so long as theemitter/detector and the reflective area are aligned and spaced apartwithin a predetermined range, which conditions will not likely bemaintained once the article of merchandise 12 or the sensor housing 14are displaced sufficiently from the display stand 20. In thisemitter/detector and reflector example, the security system 10 isactivated and the video imaging device 100 is actuated when detection ofthe reflection of the IR signal being emitted is lost.

In yet other exemplary embodiments, the actuator 120 comprises amagnetic pulse detection system in which a magnetic pulse is sent andreceived. In such embodiments, the magnetic pulse can be generated atthe article of merchandise 12, at the sensor housing 14, or at thedisplay stand 20. For example, the activation element 124 at the displaystand 20 may transmit, emit or send a magnetic pulse and the activationelement 122 at the sensor housing 14 may receive or detect the magneticpulse. Alternatively, the functions of the activation elements 122 and124 may be reversed, as previously described. In either case, a magneticpulse can be generated periodically or intermittently, for example, bypassing an electrical current through a coil. The magnetic pulse can bedetected, for example, by way of an electromotive force (EMF) induced inanother coil or by movement of a ferromagnetic element that opens orcloses a switch or circuit. In these embodiments, the video imagingdevice 100 of the security system 10 is actuated when an electrical oroptical signal generated by a magnetic pulse suddenly initiates orsuddenly dissipates or terminates. Either instance represents a changeof status with regard to the location of the article of merchandise 12or the sensor housing 14 relative to the display stand 20, or a loss ofpower or function of one or both of the activation elements 122 and 124.

Once the security system 10 is prompted into an active state upondisplacement of the article of merchandise 12 from the pedestal 24 ofthe display stand 20, the video imaging device 100 enters one of severalpossible video collection modes. For example, the video imaging device100 may enter a motion video collection mode wherein a video data streamcaptured by the video camera 102 and generated by the electronics module104 conveys a series of closely timed images that together define motionvideo data. In another example, the video imaging device 100 enters asnapshot sequence video collection mode wherein the video data streamconveys a series of time-separated still images. In yet another example,the video imaging device 100 enters a video collection mode whereintime-separated motion video data streams are captured, generated andconveyed. In view of these examples, it should be understood that thisdescription is intended to encompass various modes of capturing,generating and conveying motion video data and still image data.

Whether motion video data, still image data, or a combination thereof isconveyed by the video data stream captured by the digital camera 102 andgenerated by the electronics module 104, the content of the video datastream may be monitored by sales or security personnel in real-time, andin addition, may be recorded and stored. A remote recording device 110is shown in wireless communication with video imaging device 100 in FIG.3. In that example, the video imaging device 100 includes a wirelesstransmitter that conveys the video data stream and/or any other desireddata stream relating to the security system 10 to the recording device110. Such transmissions may occur as the video data stream is generated,or alternatively, the video data stream may be temporarily stored by thevideo imaging device 100 and periodically transmitted to the recordingdevice 110. The video imaging device 100 may be operable for receivingcontrol commands from the recording device 110 or another control deviceso that desired functions and modes of the video imaging device can beprompted, discontinued, repeated, programmed, or otherwise controlled.Transmitting and receiving may also be facilitated by two-way wirelesstransceiver devices at one or both of the video imaging device 100 andthe recording device 110. In FIG. 4, the video imaging device 100 isshown to communicate with the recording device 110 through a conductivecable 112 so that the video data stream, including any other desireddata stream, is conveyed to the recording device through the cable. Thecable 112 may also convey control commands to the video imaging device100 in other exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The security system 10 may return to the inactive state in any suitablemanner according to the various embodiments of the invention. In oneexample, once commanded into a video collection mode, the securitysystem 10 is engaged in collecting video data until the article ofmerchandise 12 and/or the sensor housing 14 are returned to the displaystand 20, as determined by the activation elements 122 and 124previously described. In another example, video collection continueswithout interruption for a predetermined period of time. In yet anotherexample, video collection continues until a “stop” command is receivedby the video imaging device 100. For example, a “stop” command may bemanually input by an operator, such as sales or security personnel, andtransmitted to the video imaging device 100 through the recording device110 or the cable 112 to terminate video collection.

Several modes for returning to the security system 10 to the inactivestate may be combined in certain embodiments of the invention. Forexample, in at least one embodiment, once placed into a video collectionmode the video imaging device 100 remains actuated in the videocollection mode: 1) until the article of merchandise 12 and/or thesensor housing 14 are replaced onto the display stand 20; 2) until apredetermined period of time passes; or 3) until an operator “stop”command is received at the video imaging device, whichever occurs first.

In FIG. 3, the video camera 102 is illustrated to observe a field ofview 103, which may be maximized by use of a wide angle lens disposed inoptical communication with the camera or included as a component in theconstruction of the camera. The field of view 103 is typically directedgenerally outward from the display stand 20, as shown in FIG. 3. Thevideo camera 102 and display stand 20 can be oriented such that an imageof an individual approaching and/or standing in front of the displaystand is captured within the field of view 103. Thus, the video imagingdevice 100 is positioned to collect motion video data or still imagedata as an individual approaches and/or stands before the display stand20. In this instance, the video imaging device 100 may be operatingcontinuously, or alternatively, may be actuated manually by sales orsecurity personnel through the recording device 110 or another remotecontrol device.

Though the video camera 102 is illustrated herein as being disposedwithin the pedestal 24 of the display stand 20, in various otherexemplary embodiments the video camera may be disposed within otherportions of the display stand 20 (e.g. base 22), or positioned on,adjacent to or even remote from the display stand. In FIG. 1, the videoimaging device identified by reference character 100 is represented byan optical element, such as a lens, or merely an aperture formed throughthe outer wall of the pedestal 24. In either instance, the opticalelement or aperture is aligned with the video camera 102 so that videocollection by the video camera is possible. In yet another example, theoptical element of the video imaging device 100 is an opticallytransparent or sufficiently translucent filter or shield that protectsthe video camera 102 from ambient moisture, spilled food and beverages,dust, and handling. The filter or shield may be colored similarly or incontrast with the wall of the pedestal 24 in order to minimize ormaximize the visibility of the video camera 102, as desired. Thus, inone embodiment, the presence of the video camera 102 is apparent so asto further discourage theft of the article of merchandise 12, while inother embodiments the video camera 102 is preferably hidden so as topermit clandestine video collection of a thief who unknowingly remainsat the merchandise display area while security personnel is beingdispatched.

A plurality of security systems 10 may be coupled together in cabled orwireless communication with one another so that all of the securitysystems 10 are actuated into video collection mode when any one of thearticles of merchandise 12 is displaced a predetermined distance fromits respective display stand 20. In this manner, the effective field ofview of the plurality of security systems 10 is increased over that of aparticular video imaging device 100 of a single one of the securitysystems. In an arrangement such as that shown in FIG. 1, views of athief from various perspectives may be provided by multiple securitysystems 10 so that a more detailed physical description of the thief isobtained.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various modifications thereto can be made without departingfrom the intended spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, theforegoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention and thebest mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose ofillustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A merchandise security system comprising: adisplay stand for supporting and displaying an article of merchandise;and a video imaging device positioned on, or adjacent to, the displaystand and configured for collecting video data in response to adisplacement of the article of merchandise from the display stand.
 2. Amerchandise security system according to claim 1, wherein the videoimaging device is actuated to collect video data when the article ofmerchandise is displaced relative to the display stand.
 3. A merchandisesecurity system according to claim 1, wherein the video imaging devicehas an inactive state and an active state that is actuated when thearticle of merchandise is displaced from the display stand.
 4. Amerchandise security system according to claim 3, further comprising anactuator for actuating the video imaging device between the inactivestate and the active state.
 5. A merchandise security system accordingto claim 4, wherein the actuator comprises a first activation elementand a second activation element that cooperate to actuate the videoimaging device between the inactive state and the active state.
 6. Amerchandise security system according to claim 5, wherein the firstactivation element and the second activation element utilize energyselected from the group consisting of mechanical, electrical, magnetic,radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), and optical energy.
 7. Amerchandise security system according to claim 5, wherein one of thefirst activation element and the second activation element comprises acontact switch and the other of the first activation element and thesecond activation element comprises a contact.
 8. A merchandise securitysystem according to claim 5, wherein the first activation element andthe second activation element comprise opposing components of a magneticproximity switch that activates or deactivates as the article ofmerchandise is displaced relative to the display stand.
 9. A merchandisesecurity system according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the firstactivation element and the second activation element comprises aphoto-sensitive device that receives ambient light when the article ofmerchandise is displaced relative to the display stand.
 10. Amerchandise security system according to claim 5, wherein one of thefirst activation element comprises a radio frequency identification(RFID) tag and the other of the first activation element and the secondactivation element comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver thatdetects the loss or interruption of a return signal from the RFID tagwhen the article of merchandise is displaced relative to the displaystand.
 11. A merchandise security system according to claim 5, whereinone of the first activation element comprises an infrared (IR)transmitter/emitter and the other of the first activation element andthe second activation element comprises an infrared (IR)receiver/detector that detects the loss or interruption of an infraredemission from the IR transmitter/emitter when the article of merchandiseis displaced relative to the display stand.
 12. A merchandise securitysystem according to claim 5, wherein one of the first activation elementcomprises a magnetic pulse transmitter/emitter and the other of thefirst activation element and the second activation element comprises amagnetic pulse receiver/detector that detects the loss or interruptionof a magnetic pulse from the magnetic pulse transmitter/emitter when thearticle of merchandise is displaced relative to the display stand. 13.The merchandise security system of claim 5, further comprising a sensorhousing configured for attachment to the article of merchandise andwherein one of the first activation element and the second activationelement are disposed within the sensor housing.
 14. A merchandisesecurity system according to claim 3, wherein the video imaging deviceis operable in a plurality of video collection modes for capturing,generating and conveying at least one of motion video data and stillimage data.
 15. A merchandise security system according to claim 13,further comprising a remote recording device for recording and storingthe motion video data and the still image data.
 16. A merchandisesecurity system according to claim 3, wherein the video imaging devicereturns to the inactive state from the active state upon the first tooccur of (i) the article of merchandise is returned to the displaystand; (ii) the passage of a predetermined period of time; and (iii) a“stop” command is received at the video imaging device.
 17. Amerchandise security system according to claim 1, wherein the displaystand comprises a base and a pedestal extending upwardly from the base,and wherein the video imaging device comprises a video camera that isactuated to capture video data when the article of merchandise isremoved from the pedestal of the display stand.
 18. A merchandisedisplay system according to claim 17, further comprising a sensorhousing configured for attachment to the article of merchandise, andwherein a first activation element is disposed on the sensor housing anda second activation element is disposed on the display stand; the firstactivation element and the second activation element cooperating toactuate the video imaging device in response to a displacement of thesensor housing and the article of merchandise relative to the displaystand.
 19. A merchandise security system comprising: a display stand; avideo imaging device positioned on, or adjacent to, the display stand;and an actuator operatively coupled with the video imaging device foractuating the video imaging device between an inactive state and anactive state, wherein the video imaging device is configured to collectvideo data when an article of merchandise is displaced relative to thedisplay stand.
 20. A method comprising: actuating a video imaging devicein response to an article of merchandise being displaced relative to adisplay stand, the video imaging device being positioned on, or adjacentto, the display stand; and collecting video data when the video imagingdevice is actuated.